Recently updated on February 12th, 2023 at 12:31 pm
Bayelsa United have emerged champions of the 2021 Federation Cup, also known as Aiteo Cup on the 9th of August 2021.
Nigeria National League (NNL) club Bayelsa United won the Aiteo Cup for the first time edging out NPFL side Nasarawa United 4-3 on penalties at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
The highly entertaining game ended in a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Inikurogha Okardi gave Baylesa United the lead in the 19th minute.
Chinedu Ohanachom however equalised for Nasarawa United within seconds.
Emo James scored the second goal for Bayelsa United, while Aliyu Abdullahi netted Nasarawa United’s second of the evening.
Both teams failed to register a goal after the break.
Bayelsa United are now the second team from the second tier (NNL) to win the FA Cup after defunct Dolphins Football Club of Port Harcourt claimed the title in 2011.
They will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
Their success guaranteed them prize money of 25 million Naira while Nasarawa United will get 10 million Naira for finishing as runners-up.
Prior to the showdown in Benin, the last four Aiteo Cup finals have ended in penalty shoot-outs with Kano Pillars winning the immediate past edition in 2019 after a playing a goalless draw with Niger Tornadoes.
The Top Scorer award went to Gafaar Olafimihan of 3SC while Nasarawa United goalkeeper Mohammed Galadima claimed the Most Valuable Player award.
